Day 31 | Emma’s Story: Competence is Not an Accident

Reflection

Emma heads up an alternative provision trust: a network of schools for those excluded from mainstream education. Her days and weeks vary. She might be helping one of the head teachers work through a particularly complex problem, campaigning for schools to receive more government funding, or dealing with a 15-year-old who’s barged through the door and refuses to put his hood down.

In all these situations, she needs confidence. And Emma is confident. One of the reasons Emma is confident is that over many years, she has developed competence.

Emma knows how easily senior leaders can become detached from reality on the ground. So, as much as possible, she bases herself in the school so that she gets regular interaction with students and teachers. Twice a year, she goes away on residentials with young people so she doesn’t forget what they’re like – the issues they’re facing, and what does and doesn’t work when it comes to helping them.

She’s also reflected over time on what is going on ‘upstream’ that leads to the problems she sees ‘downstream’. She’s taken the time to listen to young people’s stories and to hear what experts have to say about the effects of trauma on the brain. Likewise, from her own experience and others’, she’s learned that young people’s brains can be rewired through loving and healthy environments and relationships. She is competent in knowing where young people are coming from, and what is required to help them flourish.

The competence Emma developed over the years has not resulted in an ‘I have all the answers’ mindset, though – she remains a humble learner. As we embrace opportunities to grow – through our own experiences, as well as through receiving wisdom from others – we become more competent. And that competence builds confidence.

What opportunities is God giving you to grow your competence?

Responding in Prayer

Dear God, help me have a mindset like Emma’s: learning from You, from life, and from those around us.

As I grow more competent as a labourer in the field You’ve put me in, help me have a healthy confidence to better serve others.